Brandt Baughman, manager of Indiana Dunes State Park, was honored with a
2011 Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award on May 11 in a
Statehouse ceremony.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman presented Baughman the award, which are presented to
a select group of recipients from across the state each year. The awards
recognize those who help the hospitality and tourism industry grow, and as a
result boost Indiana’s economy. The awards recognize those who go out of
their way to provide excellent customer service to visitors.

Baughman was nominated for the award by Indiana Dunes Tourism Executive
Director Lorelei Weimer, who said she was extremely pleased with Baughman’s
selection.

“We are thrilled to know he was chosen for this award because he’s so
deserving of it,"Weimer said.

Baughman said he was “surprised and honored” to receive the award.

“The only way we have been able to accomplish all the things we have is
because of the outstanding work of the park staff and the guidance of the
Department of Natural Resources leadership, as well as the tremendous
support of our partners such as Indiana Dunes Tourism, Friends of Indiana
Dunes, Lake Michigan Coastal Program, the Duneland Chamber of Commerce and
many, many others,” Baughman said.

Weimer, in nominating Baughman for the award, wrote that Baughman is one of
those rare individuals who makes everyone he meets feel welcome and at home.
In addition, he is always looking for ways to improve the park and the
visitor experience.

“Brandt personifies Hoosier Hospitality as much as any person I have met in
my decades of work in the tourism industry,” Weimer wrote in the nomination
form.

"He’s like a friendly and helpful Bed & Breakfast operator, except that
instead of a few guests a week his park sees one million visitors a year.
Brandt is very involved in the community, putting a face with the state
park. Customer service is one of his highest priorities.

“Whether a person is calling him with a question or running into him in
person, he’s always extremely outgoing and personable. In short, he makes
every person feel like a welcomed guest. That is exactly what providing
Hoosier Hospitality is all about.”

The Hoosier Hospitality Awards ceremony is part of Visit Indiana Week and
National Travel and Tourism Week.